Training Device For the Muscles of the Pelvic Floor

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a training device, for the muscles of the pelvic floor in women, comprising a flexible main body ( 1 ), for introduction into the vagina and which has a compression piece ( 1 ) with a spherical working surface ( 2 ). According to the invention, an substantial improvement in the training effect can be achieved, whereby the compression piece ( 1 ) is defined by two annular constrictions ( 3, 5 ), connected axially on one side to a stop section ( 4 ) with a stop surface and connected axially on the other side to a retainer section ( 6 ) to which a display is fixed.

The invention relates to a training device for the muscles of the pelvic floor of women, comprising a flexible main body, which is to be introduced into the vagina and which has a compression part with a ball-shaped working surface, an indicator device being attached to the main body.

It is well known that for women sexual fulfilment in coitus is largely dependent on the state and control of the muscles of the pelvic floor. Various attempts have been made to train these muscles by means of devices which are introduced into the vagina. In this context diverse problems have arisen, which could not be solved satisfactorily with the known devices and apparatus. On the one hand such devices should permit and encourage the active and conscious moving of the muscles, while simultaneously providing the possibility for the woman to control or monitor the training situation. The particular aim of the training is to enable the woman to consciously and selectively tense and relax muscles, since studies have shown that without relevant training about 50% of all women are not able to identify the muscles of this region from verbal instruction alone. On the other hand such devices should meet strict hygienic requirements even when used in the home, and still be affordable.

From WO 03/089071 A a training device is known, which has a pear-shaped main body. It has been found that this device cannot guarantee an optimum training effect for the local muscles.

It is the object of the present invention to further develop such a device in order to attain an improved effect while avoiding the disadvantages mentioned above.

The invention proposes that the compression part be defined by two annular constrictions, which connect axially on one side to a stop section with a stop surface and on the other side to a holding section, to which an indicator device is attached in turn. In this way the region of the compression part having the largest diameter, i.e. the equatorial line, is farther distant from the stop surface and the muscles can obtain a firm grip in the first constriction. Furthermore it is thus possible to configure the stop surface with a large flat area.

The device according to the invention permits training of the muscles of the pelvic floor in a simple and controllable manner. It is essential that insertion of the device is limited by the stop surface, whose distance from the compression part is chosen such that the ball-shaped working surface of the compression part is positioned exactly in the area of the muscle groups to be trained. Since the vaginal wall will envelop the working surface of the compression part on both sides of the equatorial line essentially symmetrically, a contraction of the muscles will result in an inwardly directed deformation of the compression part, while no significant axial force will be exerted on the training device. The training device is gripped and meets the force exerted from outside with a corresponding resisting force whose strength depends on the pressure applied to the compression part. Working against this resisting force produces the desired training effect, which strengthens the relevant group of muscles. When the muscles are relaxed, e.g. when the training session is finished, the device may easily be withdrawn and removed.

It is an essential feature of the device that the indicator device permits monitoring of the exercises and progress in the training activity in a simple way. If the muscles are correctly tensed the main body undergoes a deformation causing a tilting movement of the indicator device, with an axial movement added in certain cases. By these movements the deformation of the main body can be registered in an optical and tactile way, and the actual muscle contraction may be inferred.

It has been found to be of particular advantage if the working surface is essentially spherical. This will provide optimum geometrical conditions.

The training effect will be especially efficient if the axial length of the stop section is between 40% and 65% of the maximum diameter of the compression part. In this context it will be particularly advantageous if the axial length of the holding section is between 30% and 60% of the maximum diameter of the compression part.

A particularly advantageous variant of the invention will result if the indicator device is configured as a withdrawable rod. It is especially advantageous if the rod is held in an opening of the holding section in such a manner that it may be shifted within certain limits. While efficiently serving to indicate muscular tension this will permit a simple design with low manufacturing costs.

As regards design simplicity and low manufacturing costs it is furthermore of advantage if the main body is configured as a rubber bubble which is covered with a gliding layer, the gliding layer consisting of loose fibres which are steeped in a gliding agent.

From the hygienic point of view it is of particular advantage if the training device is designed as a throw-away product.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the embodiment shown in the enclosed drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a training device according to the invention, with the rod inserted in the device;

FIG. 2 shows the training device of FIG. 1 with the rod withdrawn.

The training device shown in the drawings consists of a main body 1 with a compression part 1 a having a working surface 2 on its outside. In axial direction the compression part 1 a on one side is followed by a first constriction 3, wich in turn continues to a stop section 4. On the opposite side of the stop section 4 the compression part 1 a is followed by a second constriction 5 adjacent to a holding section 6.

The compression part 1 a is essentially spherical and has a diameter D, which is adapted to the anatomy of the woman; the training device may thus be marketed in two or more sizes, e.g. one size for women who have already given birth and another size for women who have not done so. The total length L of the device is about 1.8 D, with the length L₁ of the stop section being 0.5 D and the length L₂ of the holding section being 0.4 D. In an opening 7 of the holding section 6 a withdrawable rod 8 is held in such a way that it can be axially shifted. The rod 8 has a first thickening 9 at one end, which is placed inside the training device and prevents the complete withdrawal of the rod. At the other end of the rod a second thickening 10 is provided, which will permit better gripping and holding of the rod 8 in a simple manner.

The use of the training device according to the invention will now be explained. The training device is inserted into the vagina with the stop section 4 foremost, until the stop surface 11 of the stop section 4 touches in the region of the portio vaginalis cervicis. In this position the tunica muscularis of the vagina envelops the working surface 2 of the main body 1 and is distended radially outwards by the compression part 1 a. By tensing these muscles the compression part 1 a may be contracted against its deformation resistance, thus producing the desired training effect. The tension of the muscles can be monitored via the movement of the rod 8 caused by the deformation of the main body 1, the rod 8 thus acting as an indicator.

In the inserted state the second constriction 5 is situated in the region of the vaginal entrance and the holding section 6 is completely outside the female body. This will substantially facilitate withdrawal of the training device.

The training device is made from a rubber bubble in order to enable a suitable deformation. Insertion into the vaginal region is eased by a gliding layer, which is applied to the rubber bubble and consists of a loose layer of fibres steeped in a gliding agent. Preferably, the training device is a throw-away product in order to conform to strict requirements of hygiene. Multiple use of the device in contravention of hygienic rules is prevented or at least significantly impeded by the fact that the gliding layer is largely destroyed after first use, thus prohibiting further use.

The training device according to the invention permits specific training of the muscles of the pelvic floor and will thus lead to a significant enhancement of sensation during coitus. In addition, advantageous effects are observed with regard to the avoidance of incontinence problems. 

1-9. (canceled)
 10. Training device for the muscles of the pelvic floor of women, with a flexible main body, which is to be at least partially inserted into the vagina and which has a compression part with a ball-shaped working surface, with an indicator device attached to the main body, wherein the compression part is defined by two annular constrictions, which connect axially to a stop section with a stop surface on one side and to a holding section on the other side.
 11. Training device according to claim 10, wherein the working surface is essentially spherical.
 12. Training device according to claim 10, wherein the axial length of the stop section is between 40% and 65% of the maximum diameter of the compression part.
 13. Training device according to claim 10, wherein the axial length of the holding section is between 30% and 60% of the maximum diameter of the compression part.
 14. Training device according to claim 10, wherein the indicator device is configured as a withdrawable rod.
 15. Training device according to claim 10, wherein the rod is held in an opening of the holding section in such a way that it may be shifted within limits.
 16. Training device according to claim 10, wherein the main body is configured as a rubber bubble, which is covered by a gliding layer.
 17. Training device according to claim 16, wherein the gliding layer consists of a layer of loose fibres steeped in a gliding agent.
 18. Training device according to claim 10, wherein the training device is designed as a throw-away product. 